Page 59 of Curvy Desire's Second Shot

Hudson raised an eyebrow, glancing at me. “What do you think?”

I walked through the space slowly, running my fingers along the banister and peeking into the sunlit living room. It was charming, in its own way, but it didn’t feel quite right.

“It’s nice,” I said carefully. “But I don’t know if it’s... us.”

Hudson nodded, his hand brushing mine as we moved to the next room. “We’ll keep looking.”

The second house was newer,sleeker, with all the modern amenities you could ask for. It felt more like a showpiece than a home, and as we walked through the spotless halls, I foundmyself missing the creaks and imperfections of the places we’d left behind.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, glancing at Hudson. “But it doesn’t feel... warm.”

He chuckled, nodding. “Yeah. Feels more like a museum.”

We shared a smile, the kind that said everything without words, and followed the agent back to the car. It wasn’t a wasted trip—it was another step closer to finding what we were really looking for.

The third house was different.

It was small, tucked away at the end of a quiet lane, with ivy climbing up one side and a cluster of trees shading the backyard. The paint was peeling in places, and the garden was overgrown, but there was something about it that made my heart ache in the best way.

Hudson parked the truck, and we stepped out, the gravel crunching beneath our feet as we approached the front door. The agent unlocked it with a flourish, stepping aside to let us in.

The inside was cozy, with hardwood floors that creaked softly underfoot and windows that let in streams of golden light. The kitchen was dated but functional, and the living room had a fireplace that practically begged for winter nights and hot cocoa.

I wandered through the space slowly, taking it all in. Hudson stayed close, his presence steady as we moved from room to room. When we reached the back patio, I stopped, leaning against the railing as I looked out at the yard. It was wild and overgrown, but I could imagine it—what it could be, what we could make it.

“This feels different,” I said softly, glancing at Hudson.

He nodded, his eyes scanning the space. “It does.”

We walked back inside,standing in the doorway of what could only be described as a home with potential. The agent chatted animatedly about the neighborhood, but her voice faded into the background as I looked at Hudson.

“What do you think?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turned to me, his expression thoughtful. “I think this could be it.”

My chest tightened, a mix of hope and nerves swirling inside me. “You’re sure?”

He stepped closer, his hand brushing against mine as he met my gaze. “Naomi, we’ve been through hell. And we’ve made it out the other side. This place? This feels like a beginning. Our beginning.”

The words settled over me, warm and steady, and for the first time, I believed it. This wasn’t just a house—it was a home waiting to be built. By us. Together.

I smiled, my heart full as I nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Hudson grinned, pulling me into his arms. As we stood there, the light streaming through the windows, I felt something I hadn’t in years: peace. And for the first time, the future felt like something worth chasing.

This was it. Our beginning.

Chapter Forty-Four

Hudson

The hum of activity filled the space around me—phones ringing, the steady clack of keyboards, the occasional burst of laughter from a nearby desk. The office wasn’t fancy, but it had a warmth that felt earned, a sense of purpose that mirrored my own. I stood near the window, looking out at the small city we now called home, and allowed myself a rare moment to reflect.

This wasn’t where I’d thought I’d end up. Not even close. But it was where I needed to be.

When Naomiand I had first moved here, it had been with a single goal: to build a life free from the chaos we’d left behind. Starting over wasn’t easy—it never is—but it was worth every late night and early morning. We’d found our rhythm, slowly but surely, and now, for the first time in years, I felt like I was standing on solid ground.

My work at the new construction company had started out small. I’d taken a job as a site manager, overseeing projects that ranged from home renovations to commercial builds. It was honest work, and I liked it—the way every blueprint told a story, the satisfaction of seeing something tangible come to life. But what had started as a job quickly became something more.

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